Awareness Night

@ Valley Stream Central High School 2019

A School-Wide Wellness Event

I had the pleasure of teaching yoga and mindfulness to high school students grades 11-12
Awareness Night Service Project Link

Health Education Department:

There are 3 main physical education teachers that teach health education.

The Peer Mentor club:

  • Nominates well rounded students to be a peer mentor.

  • Assigned students in different grades who may need extra support.

Demographics

Valley Stream Central HS (10th, 11th, 12th)

Central High School has a very diverse school environment.

    • According to data.nysed.gov 2017-2018 enrollment there are;

    • 987 total students.

    • The ratio of females to males is about 50:50.

The Ethnicity at Central HS:

    • Black or African American 42%

    • Hispanic or Latino 29%

    • Asian 20%

    • White 8%.

    • Students who are economically disadvantaged is 42%.

    • There are 87 teachers, 4 school counselors, 2 social workers, 1 dean, 1 principal, 1 school nurse and 2 assistant principals.

    • The graduation rate: 95% in 2018.

RATIONAL/ACTION:

  • Ran by The Peer Mentor club.

  • Main focus is on mental health education, stress and anxiety.

  • Coping and self-care strategies.

  • How and where to find extra support or guidance.

  • Fun Cooperative games/icebreakers and open discussions for the students to feel comfortable and safe to participate.

  • Encouraging students to participate in cooperative games and yoga activities.

  • Teachers and staff learning mechanisms that they can share with other staff (PD) and incorporate into the classroom.

  • Providing classroom teachers with mindfulness tools to utilize as brain-breaks.

  • Reminding teachers to "check-in" with their students and see how they are doing/feeling.

WSCC'S COMPONENTS:

(Whole School, Whole Child, Whole Community)


  • Health Education

  • Social and emotional

  • Physical education/activity

  • Employee Wellness

  • Community

Why Awareness Night?

  • "Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year old Americans." -CDC

  • “The mental health of adolescents/young adults has a profound impact on their physical health, academic achievement, and well-being. "-Healthy People 2020

  • "50% of cases of mental health issues begin by age 14; 75% begin by age 24" -Active Minds

  • "2/3 of students with anxiety or depression don't seek treatment" -Active Minds


Mental Health Awareness Can SAVE Lives !

Speak up, know the signs, show support, be kind.

Adelphi University Health Education: Ms. Lazzarini

Awareness Night Survey

Thank you for attending Awareness Night ! Please accurately fill out this survey based on your experiences tonight! You do not have to write your name. Circle your best answer.


1. I enjoyed this event and would attend again.

Yes / No


2. Awareness night provided me with helpful stress relieving tools that I can practice on my own.

Yes / No


3. Which stress relieving tool did you enjoy the most? Circle one.

Yoga Meditation/Breathing activities Exercise/games


4. Which stress relieving tool would you practice on your own? Circle all that apply.

Yoga Meditation/Breathing activities Exercise/games


5. I feel more comfortable talking to a trusted adult or peer mentor in a time of need.

Yes / No


6. I would like VS Central to create a yoga club after school.

Yes / No


7. I would like to see a Yoga unit in Physical Education.

Yes / No


8. I would like my teachers to utilize stress relieving tools in the classroom.

Yes / No